Chrysler Town & Country RT
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
Engine Overview
The Chrysler Town & Country RT is available with one engine variant at 234 hp.
FCA's workhorse V6, 305 hp, DOHC 24-valve — same Pentastar in half the Stellantis lineup. No MDS, no lifter lottery. Rocker arm tick around 60k miles. Plastic oil filter housing cracks — Dorman 926-959 metal replacement is the permanent fix. A small sleeper community runs ProCharger ($6,349) or RIPP ($6,799) kits pushing 400-450 whp on stock internals, bolt-on. Whether $12k all-in on a boosted V6 beats buying a used R/T is the question nobody agrees on.
- !! Rocker arm tick from 150,000 km
Rocker arm develops audible tick from worn contact surfaces, typically after 60,000 miles. Parts cheap ($50-80 per arm), labor drives cost due to intake manifold removal.
Symptoms: Ticking from upper engine, louder when cold, doesn't disappear after warmup - !! Oil filter housing leak — plastic cracks from 210,000 km
Plastic oil filter housing becomes brittle, develops cracks. Oil and coolant passages run through the housing — cross-contamination possible. Dorman 926-959 metal replacement is the permanent fix.
Symptoms: Oil drip under engine, low oil warning, milky residue on oil cap in severe cases - !! Timing chain tensioner stretch (2011-2013) from 310,000 km
Timing chain tensioner loses tension from chain stretch, primarily 2011-2013 units. Cold start rattle, can jump timing in extreme cases.
Symptoms: Rattle on cold start from front of engine, check engine light for cam/crank correlation
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| TIPM Failure — Complete Electrical Collapse TIPM defect on Town & Country is particularly widespread — over 1,200 complaints on the 2008 model alone. Fuel pump relay failure is the first sign, then all other relays follow. Complete electrical failure while driving documented. Symptoms: Vehicle won't start, horn sounds randomly, all electrics go out simultaneously, fuel pump runs after shutoff from 86,000 km | Medium | |
| Power Sliding Door Failure Power sliding doors stick, won't open on command, or don't close properly. Wiring harness chafing on 2008-2009 vehicles addressed by a campaign. Class action filed in 2021 for 2013-2016 Town & Country. Symptoms: Sliding door unresponsive, jams, opens or closes by itself from 70,000 km | Medium |
Top Reported Issues
Alternatives
Explore more
Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 6 weaknesses have been documented for the Chrysler Town & Country RT (2008–2016) — 3 engine-related and 3 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Electronics, HVAC.
Town & Country (Pentastar-3.6-LC, 2008–2016) — Be Careful: Rocker arm tick, Oil filter housing leak — plastic cracks, Timing chain tensioner stretch (2011-2013). Power: 283 PS.
What to watch out for with the Chrysler Town & Country? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Chrysler Town & Country RT have? +
What should I look for when buying a used Chrysler Town & Country RT? +
Which engine is recommended? +
Which Chrysler Town & Country RT engine is the most fun? +
Is the Chrysler Town & Country RT worth buying used? +
What horsepower variants are available for the Chrysler Town & Country RT? +
Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee